Skip to main content

The Gossips, A Lesson Painting, Part I

ABOVE and BELOW: Both in process views of new painting "The Gossips," 9" x12", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, available for purchase. I anticipate finishing this painting later today or tomorrow - pleaseemail me if you are interested in purchasing.
A couple weeks back I asked on Facebook what sorts of critters you wanted to see me paint. Cows were an overwhelming favorite, and one follower went so far as to send me some fabulous reference photos.
Doug Nelson is a phenomenally talented photographer, with gallery representation and plenty of experience shooting reference photos for his artist wife. I was beyond delighted to have his blessing to paint from a few of his bovine photos (please see below for more information on working from photographic references).
I'm kicking myself for not capturing this piece's underpainting - the top 1/3 was a luscious violet, which you can still see peeking around the cows' toplines. The middle was a swath of orange, and the bottom a rich ocher.
Overtop those layers, I began sculpting the forms, using loose brushmarks, building generic shapes. And I gradually am working to tighter marks and more distinct forms - but I never completely cover up the yummy colors that started it all off.
Ok, back to work! This one is truly a good time!!
Thanks for sharing my artwork with your friends and family,
Kim

Using Photo References

Did you know that artists MUST have permission from the photographer in order to use their photos as references in the creation of an artwork?

Regardless of where you find the photo, whether it be in a magazine or online or someplace else, you must first obtain the photographer's permission.

No exceptions. Ever.

This goes for copying paintings/other artwork, too, even if you are doing so as a learning exercise. (It's also worth noting here that copies made for learning purposes should be clearly marked as derivatives by titling them "After so-and-so." It is also unprofessional to exhibit copies or present them as your own original work.)

Lifting an image - photographic or otherwise - and copying it in any manner without the originator's permission is stealing.

I have this conversation regularly with my students and on many online forums/groups.

It's simple.

Ask. Permission. First.

You only have one reputation.


Comments

  1. Très joli travail... Un beau troupeau aux couleurs qui m'enchantent... gros bisous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Martine. I'm looking forward to sharing the finished version with you! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po
“Rapt (Shadow),” from the Larger than Life series, 16”x22”, acrylic black lab mixed breed pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas, $699. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is Shadow, who went missing on Sunday night. He belongs to a friend of mine, and has been a fixture in our community for many years. Errant fireworks scared the silly old guy into running off, and his family is busy searching for him. (If you happen to be in the Lake Orion/Oakland County area and have seen Shadow, please call 248-391-0867 or 248-391-6817) I’m confidant that he is safe (somewhere!) and awaiting discovery, but meanwhile, couldn’t help myself from posting his portrait as today’s dog a day painting . He’s constantly on my mind, and probably will remain so, until he finds his way back home. Hug your four legged guys while you can! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ dis

NEW! Etsy Store

One of my favorite unsold paintings from 2008, "Lashes & Corkscrews," 5" x 8", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a tobiano buckskin curly horse, $289. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (but read further on how you can get a special deal on this painting!). Now it's ridiculously easy to browse my painting archives. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store . Etsy has a Shopping Cart (so you can pile it high with purchases from a variety of artists), is integrated with Paypal (although you may still pay by check if you prefer to), and is terribly simple to navigate. When the week has ended, I will have listed almost 100 of my favorite (UNSOLD!) paintings here, grouped loosely by subject matter. During 2009 I'll update the shop regularly, and add non-Dog-a-Day pieces as a bonus, thus making it easy to search for that perfect gift. Watch my daily postings for announcements, promotions and discount codes. If you do not receive the Dog-a-Day emails (